A few hours later, White Wolf stood watching, as his sister was examined by Dr. Connors. "How's she doing, Doc?"
"Well, White Wolf, it seems that your sister is a lot tougher than she looks," Dr. Connors replied, finishing his examination on the female spider. "She appears to only have a few bruises but, surprisingly, no broken bones or traumatic blood loss. I would recommend taking things easy for a while, Rose."
"Good to know. Thanks, Connors," Rose replied.
"And the psychopath?" Hayden growled.
"Already locked up tight. And, thanks to the information Spider-Man got from Moreau's computer, along with some help from Cho, I was able to create an anti-body formula to reverse the effects on the citizens, Agent Venom, and Moreau himself," Dr. Connors explained. "S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are already giving it to them right now."
White Wolf nodded. "It's over, Rose. Your parents have been avenged."
"Yeah...I guess they have," Rose replied with a small smile. "Speaking of avenging people, I wonder how May Parker is?"
"Web-Head took her home an hour ago. She was all right. Just exhausted." White Wolf replied.
"In that case, I believe I owe a certain brooding spider a date in meeting May better at Peter's place for dinner tonight," Rose said. "Do I need to wear something formal, Hayden? I'm asking because I've never been in regular events like this before."
"Na. Jeans and a casual shirt will be fine," Hayden said with a smile. "But first, a hot shower and, knowing Aunt Shuri, a massage."
Rose chuckled. "Good. Because there is no way I'm going through another painful night wearing uncomfortable designer heels and using lots of makeup to cover my side scar."
The female teen paused on that. Realizing she just admitted about having a side scar and never told anyone except Sage Jocklin during her recovery stay.
Hayden noticed her admitting and gave a smile. "I have some, too. On the full length of my back and around my ribs."
"I actually know another person with worse scars than me," Rose responded, gently parting her right sided hair to reveal her 'X' shaped scar. "It was something I got while my parents were still around. Used to think it was the only thing I have to remember my birth parents."
Hayden smiled. "No, you have your father's features but definitely your mother's eyes and voice."
Now Rose felt her cheeks flushing pink on the compliments. "Thanks. I guess you also carry your dad's features, too. You have his spirit when looking out for his family. Almost as good as Spider-Man and his uncle."
Hayden smiled. "Come on we need to go get ready."
Nodding her head, Rose got up and followed her older brother. She was happy that the burden on her past was resolved with two of the psychos holding her were taken to justice.
An hour later, Hayden and Rose sat on a love seat in the Wakandan Embassy, drinking some warmed tea with honey while waiting for their car to take them to Mrs. Parker's home.
"Uncle said that he's needed in Wakanda a little sooner than expected. We will be leaving in a couple of days," Hayden said calmly.
"Right...How long will we be out from the city again?" Rose questioned, looking over the window.
"He said about two weeks to a month, depending on circumstances," Hayden replied, setting down his mug.
"Got it. Guess I better enjoy the time here while I still can," Rose muttered, knowing this will be hard being away from Scarlet aka Ben Reilly in Wakanda than staying at the Grant Mansion in California.
"He said it might be less. Also mentioned sending us here for certain lessons," Hayden replied calmly, as they pulled into the quiet streets of Peter's neighborhood.
"Looks like we're here," Rose pointed out. "Can't wait to see Peter and his aunt properly."
"Hope Agent Venom didn't eat all the food yet," Hayden said with a smile.
Rose chuckled at that, only to feel her stomach rumbling that was loud enough for Hayden to hear. Like the mention of food made her starve. "He better not. I'm already hungry as it is."
Hayden smirked. "Aunt Shuri said she would make us a snack, if we're hungry later."
"As long as I get to eat something and no one interrupts me feasting, I'm happy," Rose replied, already leaving the vehicle. "Move your tail, big bro, I can smell the food from here."
Hayden chuckled. "Why do I have a feeling that getting the last cookie is going to be more of a challenge now?"
Rose hurried over to the front door and waited until Hayden showed up before ringing the doorbell.
'Ugh, what's taking so long? I'm starving! Someone answer the door already so I can see how everyone is before feeding time,' Rose thought, tapping her foot impatiently.
Miles opened the door, a minute later. "Hey, fellow crime fighters."
"Hey, Miles. How are things with you? Also, tell me Flash didn't hog up all the food," Rose said, keeping calm.
"Doing good. Actually, you're in luck. Flash has sworn off food for the night...though, I doubt that's going to last," Miles said with a smile.
On one hand, Rose was glad that the food wasn't gone. On the other hand, she was concerned about Flash. And that pretty much made her forget her starving mood for a bit.
"Is he still recovering from what Moreau did to him involving the animal crackers?" Rose questioned, worrying a little.
"Yeah, he's just not interested in eating. That's all. Bet you, when we get partially through, he'll be fine and eating so we don't have leftovers," Miles replied, showing them into the house.
"Well, I wouldn't worry about having leftovers," Rose remarked, coming in. "Also, I can honestly feel Flash's pain. I was skeptical about having food and drinks, too, when Kraven placed a sleep herb in my hot chocolate to knock me out long enough to have me mutated. But Hayden helped me with that problem by having the first bite from my plate to prove it wasn't poisoned."
Hayden smiled. "It was nothing, Rose. I keep telling you that."
"I know. But it was something to me," Rose replied, coming in to see the boys and Aunt May doing charades.
Peter was dancing around and making odd gestures with the others trying to guess what he's making out. Hayden raised an eyebrow at the display.
"London bridge is falling down?" Hayden guessed.
Peter pointed at Hayden with one hand and the other touching the tip of his nose. "Correct!"
Cho, Flash, and May turned around to see who answered right and smiled.
"Hey, you two. We were wondering when you'll be here," Flash replied, grinning.
"I'll say. We were having a hard time guessing Peter's charade," Cho added. "Nice save, Hayden."
May got up and greeted the Royal Siblings. "I'm so happy you made it. I never got a chance to say thanks for saving me."
"It was no problem at all, Ms. Parker," Rose replied, giving a grateful smile before hugging May back.
"No problem, Mrs. P. And you're welcome, guys. How long have you been stumped?" Hayden asked, moving to sit next to Cho.
"Let's just say, when we first started, it used to be daylight. Now, it's dark," Cho remarked.
"Hey, at least someone got it right. All your answers were ridiculous. Flash even guessed I was Loki doing ballet," Peter replied.
"It was the first thing that came to my mind!" Flash defended. "Cho thought you were being electrocuted by Electro with hornets in your pants."
"Okay, maybe you should add a rule saying whether it was hero related," Hayden said with a smirk.
"Where's the fun in that?" Peter remarked.
The boys laughed at that and the thought of their own guesses.
Although she should be enjoying herself, Rose wasn't even paying attention to all the hilarious comments the boys were saying. She had her mind on a certain someone not here.
"Ms. Parker? Where's Ben?" Rose asked.
"Oh, he's upstairs in his room. Tell you the truth, I'm very worried. He's been quieter than normal, since he got home. I gave him some food earlier, but he said he wasn't hungry," May said, looking up the stairs.
The teen girl had a sneaky feeling on what this might be about. The little voice in her head told her that she should go make sure he's okay.
"Is it okay if I check on Ben? Or would that be rude?" Rose questioned Peter's aunt.
May smiled. "Go on. Oh, and take a plate with you. You can both snack for a bit until it's time for dinner."
Rose took the plate with the appetizer snacks and smiled at the older woman. "Thanks, May. I'll go check on him."
The female spider went upstairs and made it to the room where Ben was. She gently knocked at the door.
"Hey, Ben? Everything okay?" Rose replied, waiting for a response.
"Yeah, just not interested in a party," Ben replied gruffly.
Rose had a major feeling Ben's attitude had something to do with the last mission. Without warning, the teen heroine opened the door and came in to see Ben working on his desk.
"Scar-Boy, I know what this is about," Rose replied, placing the food on the desk. "You're skittish about what happened involving Moreau."
"Punk, leave me alone. Go play with the boys," Ben growled, not looking up.
Knowing something's wrong from that comment, Rose was getting tired with the attitude to a point she slammed her hand in front of the desk for Ben to see in getting his attention.
"Listen, Ben Reilly, I've been in this road before. I was so guilty about failing that I had to ignore everyone and be alone," Rose argued. "Holding all these emotions isn't going to help unless you talk to someone. Now, you're either going to open up or I will make you."
Ben turned around in his chair angrily and stood up. "YOU NEARLY DIED! THAT'S MY PROBLEM!"
Rose was surprised by that. However, she remained calm.
"I felt no pulse in you! I really thought you were gone forever because of me!" Ben replied, placing his hands on his head. "How can I be there to protect you when I can't even save you from a collapsing lair!?"
"Ben...That wasn't your fault. It was my choice. My bracelet couldn't make us both intangible and I didn't want you to get hurt," Rose explained gently. "I would risk my own life just to keep you and the people I care about safe."
Ben sighed heavily before sitting back down with his head looking at the floor. "Rose...I can't... I can't lose you. I won't survive...I won't be myself without you here."
Rose was touched by that, placing her hands to her mouth gently for a few seconds. "You, too? Ben...That's exactly why I did it. If you took the hit instead, I wouldn't be myself without you either. Last thing I want was for you to be completely gone. I nearly cried when I heard about what you did involving the Sinister Seven. I really thought you were gone until Kraven mentioned seeing you after the incident alive."
The brooding teen felt a caring hand on the side of his face and his head lifted to see Rose's kind eyes. He saw Rose on her knees to be leveled with him.
"When I said that you were the most extraordinary guy in my letter, I meant every word," she responded with a small smile. "I love you to a point that I can't bare to see you get hurt or worse. Even from me."
In response, Ben gently grabbed Rose's hand from his face and placed it down.
"Rose. I'm not the easiest person to get along with. I'm rough, but…but would you be interested in...in..." Ben stammered, as he tried to work the courage to ask his question.
Thankfully, the female teen was able to read what her friend's trying to say.
"Yeah, Scar-Boy. I'm interested in going out with you," Rose said with a warm smile and gently squeezed his holding hand. "And, when you feel ready, we can work on the step in being...well, probably something like whatever Peter and MJ are, but in our own way. Along with telling the others when it's right."
Ben smiled at Rose, before looking at the plate. "May send that up?"
"Yeah. She said we can both snack for a bit from it," Rose responded, letting go and standing back up. "I was actually planning on eating Flash's dinner plate to convince him that his food is safe to eat. Then again, I'm hungry enough to eat both his and my own."
Ben chuckled. "Were the two punks still stuck on Peter's London Bridge falling down charade?"
"They were, until Hayden showed up and guessed correctly," Rose said, holding back a laugh. "They mentioned that their previous guesses involved Loki doing ballet and Electro electrocuting Peter with hornets in his pants."
Ben chuckled, reaching for a bacon wrapped jalapeno. "So, the genius wasn't a genius."
"Guess not. But it would have been interesting to watch that," Rose replied with a smirk, taking a piece, too. "So, you actually knew what Peter was charading? I thought you were up here the whole time?"
"I did…And I was. The moment they started, I just went upstairs and stayed until it was over," Ben explained, eating his snack. "I immediately knew what Pete's subject was before I left."
"You are a very smart guy than most people take you for, Ben Reilly," Rose responded in an impressed.
"Thanks. You're not so bad yourself, Rose Oaks," Ben replied back, watching the teen girl blush bashfully that made each other laugh heartily.
Meanwhile, outside the room, Hayden and Peter were just behind the door overhearing everything. Hayden smiled, as he carefully listened.
"Sounds like they're okay," Hayden said with a smirk.
"Yeah. Something tells me those two got everything under control," Peter agreed.
And so, Rose and Ben enjoyed the rest of the evening with everyone else. Not much is known about the future, but they figured things will be fine.
Redbat132: That's the end of this story. The evil baddie was foiled, Star was able to avenge her parents, she and Scarlet are taking things slow in their relationship, and everyone plus everything is back to normal…Well, sort of. You might have noticed a few unanswered questions and odd behaviors. Some that were small hints about something up. Let's just say that the next Star Spider story, things are about to get savage.
Might be expecting the story around April. I have my reasons. So, stay tuned and be on the lookout. Hope you all enjoy.